Jazz pianist Tommy James has conceived of an evening of “Mostly Ellington” for HPR’s live concert audiences and the magnificent Bösendorfer grand piano housed in the station’s Atherton Studio. The evening will focus on lesser-known pieces originally composed for solo piano by Duke Ellington and/or his writing partner Billy Strayhorn. Selections will include “Lotus Blossom,” “A Single Petal of a Rose,” and “Melancholia,” among others. Rounding out the performance will be some of the Ellington evergreens. James is also arranging some pieces specifically for the talents of John Kolivas, who will be accompanying him on bass.
Reservations for this rare evening may be made online at www.hprtickets.org or by calling the station (955-8821) during regular business hours. Tickets are $30 general, $25 for HPR members, and $15 for students with ID; plus online service charge. The Atherton Studio is located at Hawai?i Public Radio, 738 K?heka Street. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.; music begins at 7:30 p.m.
James relates, "I was drawn to the Ellington pieces because they are inventive and soulful at the same time. There’s so much more to Duke’s repertoire than ‘Satin Doll’ and ‘Take the "A" Train’ that I want to introduce audiences to.”
About the artists
Tommy James was born in Mt. Pleasant, New York, into a family of non-musicians. His earliest exposure to music was through learning to play by ear on his neighbor's piano. After high school, he majored in music composition at The Manhattan School of Music. Tommy joined The Duke Ellington Orchestra in 1987 after being personally invited by Mercer Ellington (the son of Duke). He has been conductor of the band for past 10 years. Among other outstanding jazz artists with whom he has performed are Lionel Hampton, Joe Williams, Stanley Turrentine, Cleo Laine/John Dankworth, and Roy Ayers.
John Kolivas, one of Hawai?i's leading bass players, grew up in a musical family in which his mother was a classical piano teacher and his father a jazz saxophonist. John started playing the cello in the Punahou School orchestra in the 4th grade, switching to bass in the 6th. In 1982, he moved to New York, studying with Rufus Reid and performing with pianist Jimmy Rowles, trombonist Robin Eubanks, and drummer Grady Tate. Returning to Hawai?i in 1990, he has continued to work with many visiting jazz luminaries. He performs regularly with the Honolulu Jazz Quartet and the Honolulu Symphony.
